On the Differences Between Odd and Even Solar Cycles

It is proposed that the observed differences between odd and even solar cycles are a consequence of the nonlinear interactions that provide the stabilizing mechanism for the cycle's amplitude. If, for example, the magnetic field is larger than average for a given cycle (say odd), the nonlinear feedback mechanism can generate a magnetic field that is smaller than average for the next cycle (even), and then one that is larger than average for the following cycle (odd), etc. As a consequence the odd cycles have larger amplitudes than even cycles. A very simply model having a nonlinear interaction that reproduces this behavior is discussed.     

Knowledge of the three French underground laboratory sites

From March 1994 to August 1996, ANDRA conducted a large reconnaissance work on three sites for possible underground research laboratories. These surveys highlighted for each site the presence of a geological formation, the properties of which meet the requirements of the French Fundamental Safety Rules. On the East site, the selected formation is a 130 m thick argillite layer. On the Gard site the layer is composed of close-packed siltites which are 200–400 m thick. On the Vienne site a hercynian granodiorite batholith was found under a 160 m thick jurassic overdurden.     

Statistical investigations of the physical properties of radio sources

Six complete samples of radio sources have been analysed by the Spearman rank and the Spearman partial-rank correlation coefficients. The relations between the radio luminosities and linear sizes as well as between linear sizes and redshift indicate that the observed angular diameter-redshift diagram may be explained by the changes of linear sizes with radio luminosity of radio sources.     

Anomalous behavior of tellurium abundances

The cosmic abundance of Te is larger than for any element with atomic number greater than 40, but it is one of the least abundant elements in the earth's lithosphere and it is one of the five elements never reported in sea water. On the other hand, it is the fourth most abundant trace element in the human body (after Fe, Zn, and Rb), and is unusually abundant in human food. It is shown that the high abundance in human food combined with the low abundance in soil requires that it be picked up by plant roots very much more efficiently than any other trace element.     

Lead-lead age of komatiitic lavas and limitations on the structure and evolution of the Precambrian mantle

Using lead isotopes, we have studied komatiites and associated sulfides from three complexes. At Barberton, the lead-lead isochron gives an age of 3.46 ± 0.07Gy in good agreement with the Sm—Nd age. At Munro Township, three distinct komatiitic flows yield significantly different ages: Pyke Hill is 2.72 ± 0.02Gy, Theo's Flow is 2.47 ± 0.13Gy and Fred's Flow is 2.58 ± 0.02Gy old. 2.72 Gy is the emplacement age while the alignment obtained on Theo's Flow and Fred's Flow clearly points out the effect of a metamorphism posterior to 2.7 Gy. At Cape Smith, the age obtained by the lead-lead method is 1.6 ± 0.13Gy. This age is younger than that obtained by other methods. In contrast the isochron obtained on sulfide gives an age of 1.88 ± 0.17Gy in agreement with Sm/Nd methods. These results together with others from the literature are used to describe the evolution of Pb in the mantle. The important result inferred is that the mantle 2.70 Gy ago was very different from the primitive mantle according to both Th/U and U/Pb values. Indeed, the latter are lower than the planetary values. This evolution is the result of the formation of the continental crust.